Italian job again delays Laois playground opening

THE opening of a Laois playground has been delayed yet again, because only a manufacturer in Italy can replace a vandalised piece of equipment.

It is the third time within weeks that the opening of the newly redeveloped playground at the People’s Park in Portarlington has had to be postponed.

It was hoped that the playground would open this week, after a safety inspection that was provisionally booked for Wednesday 23 April.

However, the site will not open to the public for another week, as a section of the Tower Unit that was damaged by vandals must be manufactured in Italy.

Confirming the disappointing news today, Portarlington councillor Aidan Mullins said on social media: ‘The part of the Tower in the playground that was damaged had to be manufactured in Italy. The playground won't be reopening for another week.’ 

A platform in the new Tower Unit was damaged on the night of Monday 14 April, in another episode of mindless destruction.

Contractors at the site were also abused and threatened by people trying to enter the playground while works were in progress. The offences have been reported to gardaí.

The disturbing incidents occurred just over two weeks after fencing and barriers were knocked down and broken by both adults and children, so that they could gain access to the unfinished playground.

As a result, newly-seeded grassed areas and mounds were trampled and had to be repaired and reseeded, delaying the opening of the state-of-the art playground that was originally to open in late March.

Cllr Mullins described the culprits as ‘ignorant idiots’, while many disgusted locals on community social media pages called for the playground to be fenced off and locked at night, to prevent further destruction.

The playground is part of a €680,000 redevelopment of the People’s Park, which was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Laois County Council.